The academic staff from the College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Tourism at Sokoine University of Agriculture recently attended the Timber Workshop held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The workshop dealt with the future of timber construction in Tanzania and Germany and its potential to create the necessary living space for the growing world population. Experts from various institutions in Tanzania and Germany met and contributed to insights on achieving the following goals:
1. Demonstrate the relevance and possibilities of Timber Construction.
2. Provide a basic understanding of the challenges and principles of Timber Construction.
3. Create awareness and enthusiasm for Timber Construction.
4. Learning from each other through dialogue and discussion and seek further cooperation’s.
5. Develop visions and next steps to promote a local value chain for Engineers wood products in Tanzania.
During the event, Mr. Mbonea Mweta, a Tutorial Assistant from the Department of Forest Engineering and Wood Sciences, delivered an insightful presentation on “Wood Supply and Utilization in Tanzania” at the workshop. He explored the country’s forestry history, sources of wood supply, forest ownership structures, and harvesting methods, emphasizing sustainable practices. He highlighted Tanzania’s diverse forest types, including woodlands, mangroves, and plantation forests, and addressed the contributions of government and private plantations to wood production, with Sao Hill Forest Plantation being a major supplier. Key challenges such as deforestation, illegal logging, and limited value addition were discussed, along with strategies like afforestation, efficient processing technologies, and community engagement to ensure sustainability. The presentation underscored the importance of innovative wood products and collaboration among stakeholders for a thriving timber industry.
Mr. Mbonea Mweta from DFEWS Presenting during the workshop
The workshop provided a platform for key stakeholders—including representatives from TUM, ARU, CSP Africa, Volk House, NCC, TAFORI, and Gatsby Africa—to engage in discussions on sustainable practices within the wood industry. This event was an invaluable opportunity for our staff to network with leading experts driving innovation in forestry and timber utilization.
Events in Photos
